Comparing Top Grant Paths for Families

Several new developments might affect the work of military service members and their families and employers' compliance commitments in 2026. Modifications vary from proposals to increase incentives for hiring military partners to boosted employment defenses for service members while on duty. Military partner employment chances and support remain a focus for pending legislation.

, presented earlier in 2025.

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Regular Movings Frequent relocations continue to strain military families and can make it more challenging for employers to employ and keep military spouses. Expanding the WOTC might develop brand-new incentives for employers to employ military partners and tap into this underutilized skill pool. In addition, the Supporting Tours Across Years (STAY) Act (H.R. 6146), presented in November 2025, looks for to limit movings of active-duty servicemembers.

What Are the Financial Paths for Spouses ?

The U.S. Congress has not yet taken up the STAY Act this year, but if it is eventually enacted, it could lead to lowered PCS relocations that might impact recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military spouses. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law already offers civilian work leave securities for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or willingly deployed for military service.

In January 2025, Congress enacted the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Advantages Improvement Act (Dole Act), that included arrangements impacting USERRA enforcement and remedies. The Dole Act boosted anti-retaliation securities and permitted plaintiffs alleging USERRA violations to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and attorneys' fees. Agencies and courts may continue to translate and use the Dole Act's USERRA-related arrangements.

New Employer Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL/VETS) introduced a program for employers to look for guidance for guaranteeing compliance. The Assistance and Assistance for Leaders in USERRA Training and Work (SALUTE) program is an opportunity for companies to demand technical guidance on USERRA-related questions or particular issues in their labor force before the beginning of a DOL/VETS complaint or lawsuit.

Priority actions consist of reviewing USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, validating health-benefit extension procedures, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening procedures to quickly catch new rewards for military partners. Ogletree Deakins' brand-new Armed force Labor force Practice Group brings together a team of lawyers, a number of whom are veterans or presently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who regularly recommend on USERRA compliance, policy advancement, multistate execution, and investigations and litigation.

Patton, Jr. cochair the group. In addition, the Ogletree Deakins Customer Website covers new laws and developments in Military Leave. All client-users have access to Photos and Updates. Premium customers have access to details, updated templates, and other resources. For more info on the Customer Website or a Client Portal subscription, please connect to .

How to Secure Grants for Veterans

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For ten years, Employing Our Heroes has actually promoted military spouse work, developing paths to chance and driving systemic change. As we commemorate this milestone, the 10th Yearly Military Spouse Employment Summit will honor the legacy of development while charting a bold course for the future. This year's top concentrates on Leadership & Legacy as we recognize the partners, companies, and supporters who have actually transformed the employment landscape and prepared the next generation to grow in an evolving labor force.

Together, we will build on a years of service and success to develop a future where military partners lead with strength, vision, and purpose.

Military spouses face among the most consistent employment gaps in the American workforce. According to data from the US Department of Labor, military partner joblessness has actually hovered around 20% or higher recently. This far exceeds the national average, which generally falls below 5%. An interview with Sarah Roder, Director of Partnerships & Member Engagement at Army Mutual and a military partner herself, shows how those obstacles play out in practice and how partners can navigate them better.